Reflections
Practicing Advent
Advent happens and it is beyond our control. Advent happens whether we have all the time in the world or a little bit. That’s the truth Jesus is teaching in this tiny parable. “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its...
Breathing into Advent
I trust in the long arc of Goodness. Right now, we are somewhere “betwixt and between.” Some familiar things must end so new things can begin. Some things break down so something better things can emerge. This is a hard truth to live through. It not just now. George...
Running toward Bethlehem
The shepherds went “with haste” to Bethlehem. “They left, running” says The Message translation. I like this image. Men, boys, running toward Bethlehem through the field, running, in the deep dark of night. They wanted to see for themselves the wonder announced in the...
Lent Calendar – 40 Gestures
40 Gestures Supporting Mindfulness & Presence Lent Getting ready for the Mystery of Easter. Lent A slow showing of God in the ordinary. Lent 40 days of noticing life shining in the mystery of everyday. Lent Calling us to gratitude, mindfulness, intention. Lent...
Curiosity
Curiosity Read Matthew 2:1-12 “… they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising until it stopped over the place where the child was.” (v.9) Meditation This year let’s commit to living from a place of Epiphany. We’ll willingly...
Seeing
Seeing Read Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 “…the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah.” v.15 Meditation The in-between way is murky. What once was well defined is now blurred. What brought...
Emptying
Emptying Read John 2:1-11 “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” (v.7,8) Meditation This in-between space of living with covid is teaching us about the common good. We have glimpses of...
Inhabiting Advent
Inhabiting Advent by Janice MacLean These months of COVID have given us practice in waiting, in longing, in wondering, in watching. These good Advent words have a different sense as they pull us through a pandemic. It’s a long Advent we’re in. We are still...
This Moment
This Moment by Janice MacLean They wait. They visit the Temple. They do their routine, day in and day out. So, when an ordinary couple with a tiny baby in her arms and the meagre sacrifice of two turtledoves in his hands come in they see they know. They hold the...
An Image for Our Time
This is a mandorla. It’s a good image for this span of time. Mandorla means “almond” in Italian. It is the space where two circles intersect, where two opposites come together. I think of it is a kind of intertidal zone between being beached and bereft and being...
So, Are You a King?
SO, ARE YOU A KING? Year B – Reign of Christ Sunday: John 18:33-37. By Hugh Farquhar Next Sunday is traditionally called “Christ the King Sunday,” now referred to in my tradition as “Reign of Christ Sunday.” It’s the last Sunday of the Christian Year, a transitional...
Let Us
“LET US” Year B: Twenty-fifth after Pentecost: Hebrews 10: 11-18; 19-25 By Hugh Farquhar When our oldest offspring was going through the telling corny jokes phase of childhood, he asked me what one religious skunk said to the other. I don’t know,” I replied. “Let us...
A Knack for Noticing
A KNACK FOR NOTICING By Hugh Farquhar Year B – Twenty-fourth after Pentecost: Mark12;38-44. Jesus and his disciples were in the Temple courtyard in Jerusalem, near where people came to drop their offerings. He saw rich people coming to put their donations into the...
Ordinary Mystics Practice Seeing
Visio Divina – The Practice of Sacred Seeing The practice of Visio Divina (Latin for Divine Seeing) invites you to pay attention to the Holy speaking to your spiritual heart through images. It is based on the 6th century monastic practice of Lectio Divina where...
The Power of Encouragement
THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT Twenty-second after Pentecost: Mark 10:46-52 By Hugh Farquhar Did someone at some time encourage you in relation to a dream, an intention, or a plan of action? Did someone discourage you, responding negatively and shaking your confidence?...
An Autumn Listening Soul Pause
"Anyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead has never watched them dancing on a windy day.” — Shira Tamir Watch for dancing leaves today. Make your own reflective rustle dance.
A Troubling Request
A TROUBLING REQUEST Twenty-first after Pentecost: Mark 10:35-45. By Hugh Farquhar From time immemorial, humans have had difficulty with authority. People who misuse authority are people who have allowed some power they have inherited or achieved to go to their heads....
Not to Worry
NOT TO WORRY Thanksgiving Sunday: Matthew 6:25-34 By Hugh Farquhar Many years ago, my family and I moved to Aberdeen, Scotland, where I was a post-graduate student at King’s College. During our time there we became familiar with a phrase people often used: “not to...
